Climate of the Marshall Islands: Weather, Rainfall, Wet and Dry Seasons, Storms | Sea Life, Islands and Oceania

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CLIMATE OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

The Marshall Islands has a pleasantly-warm, tropical maritime climate year-round. Temperatures vary little from season to season, with highs ranging between 27°C and 32°C (80°F and 90°F) and humidity averaging 80 percent. The nights can be a little humid and hot, with lows around 21°C (70°F), so it is a good idea to get a hotel with air conditioning. The islands are cooled somewhat by the northeast trade winds, which hit mostly the eastern and northern sides of the islands. These winds are lightest between May and November.

The Marshall Islands lies near the equator in the central Pacific Ocean, and temperatures change very little from season to season. Average temperatures remain close to 27°C (81°F) year-round. During the day, temperatures usually range from about 21°C to 34°C (70°F to 93°F). Daytime highs are commonly between 27°C and 32°C (80°F and 90°F). Nighttime temperatures are often around 21°C to 24°C (70°F to 75°F).

The hottest part of the year is generally during the calmer months when winds are lighter. However, even then, temperatures remain fairly consistent because of the influence of the ocean. The climate is often described as pleasantly warm rather than extremely hot. Ocean breezes help make conditions more comfortable.

The islands receive abundant sunshine throughout the year. Strong sunlight near the equator can make midday conditions feel hotter than the actual temperature. Visitors are advised to use sun protection when outdoors. Despite the heat and humidity, the climate is considered favorable for much of the year.

Seasons, Wet and Dry Periods, Trade Winds and the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands have two main seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season generally lasts from May to November. The drier season extends from December through April. Unlike temperate regions, seasonal differences are based mainly on rainfall rather than temperature.

The dry season is usually considered the most comfortable time of year. Humidity is somewhat lower, and steady winds provide cooling relief. January, February, and March are often the driest months, especially on Majuro. These months are also popular for visitors.

Northeasterly trade winds play an important role in the islands' climate. These winds are strongest from December through March and often continue into April. Wind speeds commonly range from 12 to 22 knots. The trade winds cool the islands and help reduce the effects of tropical heat.

During the wet season, winds are often weaker and periods of calm weather become more common. August, near the middle of the rainy season, may experience very light winds or even calm conditions. Although the wet season is more humid, temperatures remain similar to those in the dry season. Seasonal changes are therefore more noticeable in rainfall and wind patterns than in temperature.

Rainfall in the Marshall Islands

Rainfall is abundant throughout most of the Marshall Islands. Average monthly rainfall generally ranges from 30 to 38 centimeters (12 to 15 inches). Most of the rain falls in brief but intense tropical downpours and thunderstorms. Even during the rainy season, there are often long periods of sunshine.

The wettest months are usually October and November. On Majuro, the wettest period generally lasts from September through December, when monthly rainfall averages about 30 to 36 centimeters (12 to 14 inches). During these months, heavy thunderstorms are common. Short-term flooding can sometimes occur after particularly heavy rains.

The driest period normally occurs between December and April. On Majuro, January through March are typically the driest months, with average rainfall of about 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches) per month. Rain still falls during this period, but it is less frequent and less intense. Lower humidity also makes conditions more comfortable.

Rainfall is important because freshwater supplies are limited on many islands. The porous coral soils and sandy terrain do not store water well. As a result, periods of below-average rainfall can create water shortages. Rainwater collection systems are therefore important throughout the country.

Regional Climate Variations in the Marshall Islands

Rainfall varies greatly across the Marshall Islands with differences mainly related to their position relative to the equator. Areas closer to the equator are usually wetter. Some northern islands relatively far from the equator may receive as little as 50 centimeters (20 inches) in particularly dry areas. Drought conditions occur more frequently in the north. Vegetation is often less dense because of lower rainfall. The wetter islands support more abundant vegetation and larger coconut groves.

The southern Marshall Islands receive much more rain (up to 406 centimeters, or 160 inches, a year) than the islands in the north (about 51 centimeters, or 20 inches, a year). On the wetter islands, there is only slightly more rain in the rainy months (36 centimeters, or 14 inches, a month) than in the drier months (18 to 25 centimeters, or 7 to 10 inches, a month). On Majuro, the driest months are from January to March. The wettest months are September through November. Most of the rain is dropped in powerful thunderstorms, which means that even during the rainy season the weather is mostly sunny.

Climate differences affect daily life throughout the islands. Southern islands generally have more reliable freshwater supplies, while northern islands are more vulnerable to drought. Some islands are lush and green, while others experience periodic environmental stress from dry conditions. These regional contrasts are among the most important climatic differences in the country.

Typhoons, and Severe Storms in the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands lie near the western Pacific typhoon belt and occasionally experience tropical storms and typhoons. However, most typhoons develop to the west of the islands and strengthen as they move farther west and north. Because of this pattern, the Marshall Islands are less likely to experience direct hits from full-strength typhoons than places such as Guam, Taiwan, Okinawa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Typhoon season generally occurs from December through March. Tropical depressions sometimes form near the Marshall Islands before moving westward and becoming stronger storms. Although direct strikes are relatively uncommon, severe weather can still occur. Strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges can cause significant damage.

The low elevation of the islands increases their vulnerability to storms. Many islands rise only a few meters above sea level. Storm-driven waves can wash across entire islands and damage homes, crops, and infrastructure. Even moderate storms can create serious flooding and coastal erosion.

Several destructive storms have affected the islands in the past. A major typhoon struck in 1918. In 1904, a powerful typhoon reportedly swept away at least 60 people. Typhoon Ophelia in November 1960 caused severe devastation on Jaluit Atoll, where storm waters several feet deep swept across the islands, destroying many homes and coconut trees and killing 16 people. These events remain among the most severe weather disasters in Marshall Islands history.

El Niño and La Niña

The central tropical Pacific Ocean, both north and south of the Equator, is where El Niño and La Niña develop.El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate cycle that develops across the tropical Pacific Ocean. Both phenomena are driven by changes in sea surface temperatures and the strength of the easterly trade winds. They form along the equatorial Pacific, particularly in the central and eastern ocean near the west coast of South America, and influence weather patterns around the world.

El Niño and La Niña develop in waters that stretch from waters off the coast of Peru to the international date line. During El Niño, the normal easterly trade winds weaken or sometimes reverse direction. This allows warm surface water that has accumulated in the western Pacific to spread eastward toward the coasts of Peru and Ecuador. As the warm water moves east, the normal upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean is reduced, leaving much of the central and eastern tropical Pacific warmer than average.

During La Niña, the opposite occurs. The easterly trade winds become stronger than normal, pushing more warm surface water toward Indonesia and northern Australia. This strengthens the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water along the west coast of South America, producing cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern tropical Pacific while warm water remains concentrated in the western Pacific.

Scientists, including those at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), monitor these changes as part of the ENSO cycle. New El Niño or La Niña conditions usually begin to develop between March and June, strengthen during the second half of the year, and typically reach peak intensity between December and April. El Niño events generally last 9 to 12 months, although some persist for up to 18 months, while La Niña events often continue for 1 to 3 years. Both occur irregularly, typically every 2 to 7 years.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: CIA World Factbook; “Encyclopedia of World Cultures, Volume 2: Oceania,” edited by Terence E. Hays, 1991, Wikipedia, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Encyclopedia.com, Lonely Planet Guides, Library of Congress, The Guardian, National Geographic, Smithsonian magazine, The New Yorker, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, BBC, CNN, and various books, websites and other publications.

Last updated July 2026